Presented at: GSEF2016 Montreal

Organisation: Red Peruana de Comercio Justo y Consumo Ético

Date: September 7, 2016

Presenter: Mr.Alfonso Cotera Fretel (Director)

Contacts: alfonsocotera@yahoo.com

Summary:

Villa El Salvador is an experience of transformation of a desert (sandy area) into a popular and prosperous city, thanks to the effort and the creativity of its inhabitants and leaders. It emerged in 1971, at the initiative of people needing a place to live. Through participative planning and voluntary work, they achieved basic services, schools, health care centres, vegetable markets, community economic units, and an industrial estate. This leads to a democratic and self-administered organization, a comprehensive development plan, solidarity economic initiatives, recognition of the role of women and young people in the development and Joint Committees (comprised of neighbourhood leaders and civil servants) to ensure co-governance. In all this is an emblematic experience of self-government, revitalization of economic channels, cultural identity, respect for human and environmental rights, and the development of solidarity at all levels.